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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Frankie

35 replies

Halburg27 · 21/11/2022 19:58

If you heard this name would you automatically think girl or boy?

It’s DP top runner for DD1 due next month as a nickname for Francesca. I know a little
boy called Frankie which is putting me
off

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ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 29/06/2023 11:03

Frank is absolutely fine if you don't like Francis.

Frankie is a little bit chavvy for a girl, and somehow even worse for a boy.

fairycupcakes · 22/11/2022 12:37

Either, but my immediate thought is girl but only because I went to school with a Frankie. I’ve also known boy Frankie’s too. I think it’s a great name. Go for it :)

Snugglemonkey · 22/11/2022 08:14

It is unisex. I would use it for a girl though.

teezletangler · 22/11/2022 02:52

I think it's very unisex and possibly even leans more female these days. The only one I know is a girl, but named after her great grandfather. It's a great nickname!

Luredbyapomegranate · 22/11/2022 01:53

It’s like Alex, it can be either.

Francesca nn Frankie is very nice. I also like Franca

urbanbuddha · 22/11/2022 01:48

I love Frankie for a girl. I do know 2 male Frankies but they are both adults.

DramaAlpaca · 22/11/2022 01:34

I think either/or. Second thought would be what an unattractive name it is. Sorry, Francesca is one one of my least liked names, and I can't bear Frankie. No idea why!

ilo · 22/11/2022 01:16

I think girl because I know a girl called Frankie, not short for anything, just Frankie.

countrypunk · 21/11/2022 23:04

I know a little girl called Frankie (full name Frances) and it suits her down to the ground. It's a great name for a girl, I absolutely love it.

Kurwa · 21/11/2022 23:02

Initially assume girl.

YourWinter · 21/11/2022 23:00

i know more females called Frankie (nn) but I had an uncle Frank and I know male dogs and horses called Frank!

Essie274 · 21/11/2022 22:58

It is one of a few names I see as truly unisex and I would have no assumption based on just a name; only comparable names are Charlie, Danny/Dani, Alex, Jo/Joe and Sam for me.

I'm in my mid-20s and went to school with quite a few girls named Fran/Frankie, mostly called Frances or Francesca, but in recent years since having my son I've met more boys called Frankie (although increasingly more Francescas being known as Francesca rather than Frankie).

Fivebeanchilli · 21/11/2022 22:58

I'd think boy.
But I do know Francescas who are called Frankie day to day.

Jossse · 21/11/2022 22:48

I only know boy Frankie's

notacooldad · 21/11/2022 22:48

I know more boys than girls called Frankie.
Every time I see it on our admissions list my mind goes straight to Frankie Boyle!

mustardcustard · 21/11/2022 22:45

I know both a boy and a girl. I saw the male Frankie this week so boy was my initial thought today. Likely to change depending on who is in the forefront of my mind.

Penguinsaregreat · 21/11/2022 22:39

I’d lean towards girl but wouldn’t be surprised to find out it’s a boy.

Hotelfoxtrot · 21/11/2022 22:33

Boy because I have one 😁

TalkisChips · 21/11/2022 22:30

The only Frankie I know is a boy.

Shunkleisshiny · 21/11/2022 22:24

My friends niece is named is Francine, but is called Frankie.

Twizbe · 21/11/2022 22:18

Girl. My mum is Frances but known as Frankie.

yikesanotherbooboo · 21/11/2022 22:17

I only know girls and women called Frankie but I wouldn't be at all surprised to meet a boy with it as a pet name.I can think of a few men from popular culture known as Frankie.

DotDotDotDotDot · 21/11/2022 20:29

I agree with pp it’s pretty neutral now, I wouldn’t make any assumptions either way. Francesca, nn Frankie is lovely, it’s on my girls list too. Good luck.

Gingersnappy · 21/11/2022 20:25

I think it's become a neutral name. When I was younger, I had met a couple of male Frankies, but I know a little girl nicknamed Frankie (first name Frances) also

LizzieSiddal · 21/11/2022 20:14

I think girl and I know of two Francesca’s who were both had the nn Frankie when they were teenagers.

It’s a lovely name.